Home Tour: Curbing Our Yard

Over the past year we have worked (Nick has worked*) our tails off designing and building what I like to call my “Dream Backyard”. It has everything needed for outdoor living and entertainment including a hot tub, outdoor furniture and string lights (my personal favorite). But with SO much of our focus spent on the backyard, I almost forgot about the plans I had for the front yard. This is a photo from last year, it’s what the home builders landscapers gave us when we moved in… Sure it was something, just not anything to write home about. I knew we needed to eventually switch out the rocks and have curbing done, but first a small rant on the old front yard.When I spoke to the landscapers about my choices for the yard, I asked for boxwood shrubs, a topiary and Mexican beach pebbles. When we saw the finished product, I realized this weird gray-orange lava rock wasn’t my Mexican beach pebble and all I got was a lame explanation that the Mexican beach pebbles were too expensive for the amount they budgeted… Well that would’ve been nice to know before you just chose something for me… #EndOfRant

Sure I was a little disappointed, but my heart would never stop dreaming of those Mexican beach pebbles, one day I’ll come for you my little Mexican beach pebbles! I promised myself.Finally the day came for us to have our curbing done. To make sure I didn’t make the mistake of not doing enough research, or asking enough questions, I called around and read LOTS of reviews. I came across Skinner Curbing who had been doing for 20 years, came highly recommended, had great reviews, all of their work looked amazing and it was consistent. When I called to schedule, they got me in right away. They asked me to remove any rocks and give then about twelve inches to work their curbing machine. To get the yard ready, we (Nick) took an old serrated knife and trimmed what we though looked like a good line and curvature in the lawn and we were feeling ready to go.I had NO idea what to expect but the professional team from Skinner Curbing asked me what I wanted to do, he asked which style, pattern, color options I wanted. Honestly I had no idea there were so many options for curbing! I chose a sloped edge curbing (to match the pool house curbing) and kept it clean and simple. They even went through and added a better shape to the lines we made, I’m so glad they did because it looked so much better. To make the curbing, cement is added to the curbing machine and they create all of the rows and curves.They go over the rough curbing with special tools to make it smooth and uniform. They finish by adding lines in the curbing to help it settle correctly and to prevent cracking. The curbing alone made such a big difference in the curb appeal.So about those Mexican beach pebbles… I looked online and apparently Mexican beach pebbles go for around $600 per cubic yard…ouch. The landscapers weren’t kidding about those being WAY over budget. So I started looking for a plan B and went to American Stone in Lehi, and asked to see what they had. I fell in love with this Montana river rock. Montana, Mexican, close enough right!? These Montana river rocks look lighter in color normally, but when they get wet all of the purple, blue and rose tones come out. I honestly couldn’t believe what a difference the curbing and smooth river rocks made!Ready for the best part of my whole post? The Before and Afters!!! I’m very happy about how the curbing and rocks turned out! If you live in Utah and are looking for 5-star curbing work, I would highly reccomend both Skinner Curbing and American Stone for your curbing and decorative rock needs. Don’t forget to mention this post to save 10% off your curbing throughout the entire month of September! Call Skinner Curbing at 801.347.7042 or visit their site to book yours! Skinner Curbing